William Shakespeare was born in late April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and died in 1616. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.Stanley Wells is Emeritus Professor of the University of Birmingham and Honorary President of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.Robert Smallwood was Head of Education at the Shakespeare Centre in Stratford-upon-Avon and is now an Honorary Fellow of the Shakespeare Institute of the University of Birmingham.